Happy 2013

Happy New Year!

It wasn't so long ago that we were anticipating the arrival of the millennium and here it is 2013!

May it be a year filled with good health, happiness, and lots of creativity!

This chart was provided by All My Scattering Moments

 This design was provided by Shirley at Hudson's Holidays.

This design was from here.


 Have a good Hogmanay.

lucky me ...

In late November Sandi from a Legacy of Stitches 
had some giveaways and I was one of the lucky winners!  Just look at what I won!!!   Jacquelynne Steves of The Noble Wife
designed this line of fabric called 'Joy Love Peace Noel' - isn't it all simply gorgeous?!!!!!!  (oops, I should have pressed that panel)   Thank you Sandi and Jacquelynne.

holiday exercise routine ....

I found a new holiday exercise routine .......

Merry Christmas from us

 

Merry Christmas from us!

some Christmas favourites

I wanted to show off the creche that my husband made from cedar.  He made this when we lived in BC and cedar was readily available.  I just love the aroma that arises when I unpack it and I love the simplicity of the design.  Regrets that I can't take a better photo.

Some prims, some birds, some santas,  etc. in the basket my husband made.

 My very own mouse - can you see her tail peeking out from under her dress on the right side (facing)?

This plastic canvas Gingerbread House was made many, many years ago.  I made one for each of my children for their families and one for us.

Little Dog's stocking.

I couldn't resist ....

Chocolate Shortbread

Here's a plateful of chocolate shortbread - yummo!

I couldn't decide which photo I preferred so you're getting both!

Here's the recipe if you're interested ....

 

x-stitch finishes

This fella can join both the Christmas and the winter basket of goodies - he was a chart from Daffy Cat.

The Primitive Apple is the designer of this cutie; you'll find the chart here.

Keep smiling .....

it makes people wonder

what you're up to. 

a Christmas card

We received this Christmas card from my dad's cousin in England.  Kathleen (she and I share the same name) is quite elderly and in poor health but always manages to send a lovely card along with a handwritten message.  Underneath the picture it says "Season's Greetings from Wem, Shropshire", which is where Kath lives.  Inside it mentions that it's a print of a painting of Wem High Street based on a 19th century engraving.  It's a reproduction of a watercolour by Katherine Sprawling produced exclusively for Wem Treacle Mine Shropshire.  Do they actually mine treacle?  Wem Treacle Mine is a shop on the High Street - such a clever name for it!

Redwork Christmas Tag

Here is another Redwork Christmas tag that's as cute as a bug's
ear!   It's a design from Plumcute Designs.  The fabric that it's resting on is what I used for the backing. 

Mom's shortbread

 My mom who was an excellent baker and cook used to make the very best shortbread but I never had a lot of luck with her recipe.  Today I decided to give it a whirl again and mom must have been watching over me since it turned out - the resident cookie monster has given it a thumbs up or is that simply because he hasn't had home made cookies for awhile?

Here's the recipe if you're interested. 

Redwork

 For my bridal shower (eons ago) my future mother-in-law stitched me a set of tea towels with each day of the week on them ... I used them till they were threadbare and these reminded me of them.   I have no idea what I'm going to do with these so I'll tuck them away in my hopechest box of goodies for now.   The design is available here  along with lots of others.
Their photo was taken on a Debbie Mumm design table runner that I made a few years ago - I love the colours in it.  Since there were some half blocks left over I turned them into cushion covers.

patchwork candle mat

I just finished this candle mat and wanted to share the pattern with you in time to make one for Christmas.  The pattern can be found at Patachalot Patterns.  Have fun.